The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-09-21
STEERAGE EXPERIENCE.
HARDSHIP OF THE SEEKERS FOR
HOMES IN A NEW LAND.


OF His Life Aboard ship-Disregard Of
Health and Deoency-Incidents Of tho
Passage.
A gentleman from tho northern part OF
Missouri, who was in Omaha two days OF
last week, is living exempliflcntion OF
the advantages which the land Of the FREQ
and the home Of the brave possesses for
men of all nationalities. A few years ago
this gentleman landed in this country, one
Of n number Of tired and wretched immi-
grants. Today he is an associate justice
of the county court Of prosperous Mis-
souri, county, In which he has made con-
siderable money as well as many friends.
"The scene on the pier previous to the
departure of q vessel is an exciting one"
said he. at Is crowded with emigrants
all In confused and excited state, re-
minding one Of frightened flock of sheep.
The majority are perhaps English, Irish
and German, though nearly all nations
are represented. Each emigrant has q
contract ticket which, in consideration Of
the current rate Of fare, stipulates for his
Transportation to New York, together
with a full supply Of wholesome pro-
visions, cooked and served by its stewards.
The passenger is required TO provide him
self with bedding and cooking utensils.
In my time the weekly allowance of food
for adults was prescribed by the govern
ment and printed on the contract ticket.
As | remember it, it was II quarts OF
water 3 1-2 pounds of bread, pound Of
wheaton flour, 1 10 pounds Of oat meal,
rice and peas 2 pounds of potatoes, l Ia
pounds of beef, pound of pork, ounces
of tea, pound of sugar, and salt, pepper,
mustard, vinegar, etc. The steerage stew
ards berth the emigrants, and they are
then marshaled on deck under the scru-
tiny of government inspector who ex-
amines them for infectious diseases.
"What is the general treatment these
people receive while at seap" asked the
reporter
''Well, replied the Missourian, "neither
officers nor men seem to consider them
worthy Of respect Occasionally you will
find some ships officers who will treat
them in q humane, tolerating manner,
but as n rule they are treated more like
drove of cattle. No difference is mado
between the better or worse class but all
are treated alike. There is no classiflca-
ton; the single women and men are sep
arated, but Poles, Germans, English,
French, Italians and people of all coun-
tries are thrown together. A cleanly,
thrifty woman is berthed next to filthy
one, and the same with neat appearing,
Woodworking men, who are compelled to
mingle with the dirtiest of vagabonds.
"The steerage is usually cold, dark and
foul smelling. 1t extends nearly the en-
tire length of the vessel under the saloon
deck and is cut up into gloomy apart
ments. In each one of these are four
tiers Of berths or hunks, two on each
side. The lower tier is two feet from the
deck and the upper tier is three feet from
the roof. The steerage Is about ten feet
in height; in each tier are probably six
berths of eighteen inches wide and six
feet long and made Of boards. : These
Dberths generally emit an unpleasant smell
: of chlorate of lime or carbolic acid.
"Ofiicious stewards are moving about
indulging in coarse joke here and n
growl ut some unfortunate there. After
the supper, and but few partake of the
first one at sea, the tables are raised to
the roof and the Storage center space is
clear. Some lamps are then lighted, but
promptly extinguished at 8 o'clock. Three
meals are served every day, and in quail
ity and quantity they are substantial.
For breakfast at o'clock emigrants sit
down to do justice to oatmeal porridge
and molasses, hot bread, coffee and salt
fish. For dinner at 10 perhaps soup or
broth, boiled meats, potatoes and bread.
For supper at O, tea and bread and but
ter, with molasses. However substantial
the food may be, the manner In which It
L.. a,
are placed on the table In rusty looking
tins and then a scramble takes place,
dirty fingers often being used instead or
forks. On q pleasant summer day the
emigrants have quite O merry time on
deck. Some of the Italians bring out
their harps and violins, and n concert
takes place. Aside from this these people
amuse themselves at cards, checkers and
other games, and after time they be-
come partially accustomed to their filthy
prison; the majority make the best of 1t
and enjoy themselves to degree"
"How is the emigrant cared for during
Storm" queried the reporter.
'"That's just where he reaches the
height of his misery" answered the ex-
emigrant 81 shall never forget the suf-
ferings we all endured during a severe
storm on my passage. When the storm
came up the matches were battened down,
the ports screwed in their places and the
companionways closed. During all the
time the sea is on deck perhaps 1000 peo-
pie were confined to the steerage, on this
occasion, for nearly three days. The at
mosphere became close and in twenty
four hours vas loaded with impurities;
meals were irregularly served and the
food barely cooked. shall never forget
the exhibition of terror on the part OF
some of the emigrants, and their terror
became contagious as their shrieks grew
louder and their prayers more frequent.
After the storm had subsidized, and the
storage was open, the sailors would not
go in to clean up for six hours, and then
..,,.,r.liod NTH o,cfrn oil